Mid-Year Message from the Senior Coach

SHOC Background

As the half way mark of the season is almost upon us, we have 2 big games ahead being PHOS (away) and Henley (Mitchell Park Football Club) before a week off over the June Long Weekend.

Despite a pretty ordinary run of injuries to date, I am really pleased as to where all grades are at.

 

 

Andrew Underwood
Andrew Underwood

The As have had 2 close losses which were clearly disappointing but bouncing back in the manner that the lads have done in the last 2 weeks, particularly on the weekend against Gaza showed some real character I thought.

SOD is again doing a fantastic job and has got the Bs flying at the minute but fair to say their biggest tests are coming up.

Birthday Greetings today for Heath who continues the difficult juggling act of players in and out each week in the Cs. He has a great mix of experience and what he calls his “young pups” who are all performing well.

 

 

Henry Spurling aka “Coach Bob” is doing a great job with the 18s and has great support from Joe Paparella, Walky, Harry Kits and Max Merchant. A great win v Brighton on the weekend showed a lot of heart and they are playing a great brand of football.

We are all disappointed for Nathan Davies who is sadly out for the season after a work accident. His pre-season was fantastic and he was poised to push for senior selection this year.

Let’s hope that we have had our run of bad luck already unlike last year when we lost a lot of key players late in the season.

Apart from “Budda”, fortunately all of our other injuries aren’t season ending.

Butto is the longest off with his ankle (8 weeks), Pete Spurling (knee) is looking to be back after the bye and is brother Bill (knee) who reckons Pete will have to be the No 2 ruckman in the Cs behind him…., Clarky (ankle) is a week or 2 away. Adam Wilson (groin) should be ok after the bye. Cam Rankin (calf) will probably miss at least one more. Daniel Flavel (foot) should be ok to go this week and Brent Medhurst (ankle) will miss a week or 2 by the look. Hope I haven’t missed anyone.

On top of the injuries, Bos is away for another week “working” in Venice and Tappy will be back from his honeymoon after the long weekend.

So fingers crossed after the long weekend a lot of players will be back giving us selection headaches which is a very god problem to have.

I wanted to thank all the sponsors and supporters to date, particularly everyone involved with the home game BBQ.

The players thrive on the great support we have and love numbers around the huddles at the breaks support everyone.

 

BBQ12

One thing though that I’d like to flag and “nip in the bud” if I can. I’ve notice a little bit of late, across all grades, that a few parents here and there are speaking with their sons and providing advice. Can I respectfully ask that parents leave the coaching to the grade coaches and their assistants on match day. We are very mindful that there is no “information overload” or “mixed messages” to players. Trust everyone appreciates the request here.

So in closing, the club is in a very good space at the minute. Matt Penhall has done a fantastic job in getting our group fit which is showing and all players are having a real crack so we are well placed as we move towards the next part of the season.

Look forward to seeing everyone at PHOS this week and then it will be great night at the SHOC Ball on Saturday Night.

Undies